Debbie's Attic brings thrift, Emerald Cork combines painting and wine

By SHARON DOOLEY / Contributing Writer

Published: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 05:40 PM.

DEBBIE’S ATTIC LLC

With mom and pop business experience, Debbie and George Larkin opened Debbie’s Attic on April 1.

“We’ve always enjoyed rambling through thrift stores and antique stores,” the husband half of the couple said. He and his wife have traveled around the nation via their family-owned telecommunications business.

Wanting something that would keep them home and that could become a retirement career, they opted for the thrift shop that also serves as a crafts and wares emporium.

With space to share, Debbie’s Attic takes in vendors, offering month-long space leases that Larkin said appeals to crafters.

“If you ever wanted to try selling your hobby, you don’t have to make a big commitment,” he said. “You can try it for one month.”

The couple has plans for weekends, using the large parking space as a Saturday flea market venue.

Along with the vendor selections, Debbie’s Attic carries its own offering of new and used items. Debbie Larkin relies on store close-out sources to supply new name-brand fashion accessories such as purses and shoes.

This isn’t her day job, but Kristina Witter had mulled over the idea of opening a wine and paint studio for awhile. In November 2012, she did just that.

“I’m actually a wildlife biologist. I study endangered birds,” she said. After attending painting party studios, she thought this would be a business she would enjoy.

The Emerald Cork offers everything needed for a fun date night, a girls’ night out, or private parties, providing the paints, the canvass and the instructors. All that the want-to-be artists need supply is the wine.

“We don’t serve alcohol, but we allow the adults to bring it,” Witter said. The focus of The Emerald Cork is on adults, she added.

“A lot of people who have come in have said this is more like a wine bar or an upscale café,” she continued. “It’s designed to be fun.”

Witter schedules local talent to provide instruction. Each event is designed for a single evening, and at the end the customers leave with their own art ready to hang on the wall.

All events are posted on the website; customers may book through the site.

HOURS: Events vary

TELEPHONE: 428-2268, leave message

EMAIL: Kristina@TheEmeraldCork.com

WEBSITE: www.theemeraldcork.com

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With mom and pop business experience, Debbie and George Larkin opened Debbie’s Attic on April 1.

“We’ve always enjoyed rambling through thrift stores and antique stores,” the husband half of the couple said. He and his wife have traveled around the nation via their family-owned telecommunications business.

Wanting something that would keep them home and that could become a retirement career, they opted for the thrift shop that also serves as a crafts and wares emporium.

With space to share, Debbie’s Attic takes in vendors, offering month-long space leases that Larkin said appeals to crafters.

“If you ever wanted to try selling your hobby, you don’t have to make a big commitment,” he said. “You can try it for one month.”

The couple has plans for weekends, using the large parking space as a Saturday flea market venue.

Along with the vendor selections, Debbie’s Attic carries its own offering of new and used items. Debbie Larkin relies on store close-out sources to supply new name-brand fashion accessories such as purses and shoes.

This isn’t her day job, but Kristina Witter had mulled over the idea of opening a wine and paint studio for awhile. In November 2012, she did just that.

“I’m actually a wildlife biologist. I study endangered birds,” she said. After attending painting party studios, she thought this would be a business she would enjoy.

The Emerald Cork offers everything needed for a fun date night, a girls’ night out, or private parties, providing the paints, the canvass and the instructors. All that the want-to-be artists need supply is the wine.

“We don’t serve alcohol, but we allow the adults to bring it,” Witter said. The focus of The Emerald Cork is on adults, she added.

“A lot of people who have come in have said this is more like a wine bar or an upscale café,” she continued. “It’s designed to be fun.”

Witter schedules local talent to provide instruction. Each event is designed for a single evening, and at the end the customers leave with their own art ready to hang on the wall.

All events are posted on the website; customers may book through the site.